Wisdom Tooth Extraction: When Is it the Right Call? [Video Explainer]

Is a wisdom tooth extraction best for everyone? Not necessarily. In recent years, it’s become increasingly common to monitor healthy wisdom teeth when they’re not causing issues. In fact, today, most adults under 40 have never had their wisdom teeth extracted. As a Norcross dentist passionate about patient education, prevention, and minimally invasive dentistry, Dr. Gloria Stingley wants you to understand how she evaluates whether wisdom tooth extraction is right for you. She performs a risk assessment to determine whether the tooth will cause problems in your mouth later in life. If she thinks there’s minimal risk to your long-term oral health, she may feel comfortable leaving the tooth right where it is.

If an extraction is best, Dr. Stingley ensures that you experience minimal pain and swelling during the process. She’ll give you clear guidance on post-procedure care so healing and recovery are simple.

When Does Wisdom Tooth Extraction Make Sense?

Sometimes, what’s best for your oral health is to have the wisdom tooth, also known as the third molar, extracted. Dr. Stingley recommends removing them when they cause immediate problems or when she has reason to think those teeth will cause you problems later.

Dr. Stingley recommends removing wisdom teeth when they become painful or impacted. Teeth are considered impacted when there isn’t enough room in the mouth for them to erupt properly. As a result of this lack of space, your teeth may grow in at an angle, contributing to crowding and bite issues. They may also partially erupt, creating hard-to-clean areas that can increase the risk of decay later on.

It’s common for patients to struggle to clean their wisdom teeth because the third molars are located so far back in the mouth. If Dr. Stingley notices decay or excessive plaque on the third molars, she may recommend removing them, even if they came in straight.

One sign that it’s best to remove a wisdom tooth proactively is having cavities in the front of your mouth. Cavities in areas of the mouth that are easier to clean are a sign that you’ll struggle to make the effort to keep up with harder-to-reach places. So, extracting the wisdom teeth in these cases prevents them from decaying in the back of the mouth.

Dr. Stingley won’t remove a wisdom tooth for no reason. If your teeth are coming in straight and you’re maintaining good oral hygiene, she might feel that extracting the tooth is unnecessary.

The Wisdom Tooth Removal Process

Wondering what to expect at your wisdom tooth extraction visit?

First, Dr. Stingley conducts a free screening included when you move forward with treatment. During the screening, she determines which wisdom teeth she should extract to support your long-term oral health.

Next, she provides local anesthesia to keep you numb while she performs her work. Depending on your dental anxiety, she may offer nitrous oxide sedation or light oral sedation to prepare you for the wisdom tooth extraction.

If the tooth is impacted, Dr. Stingley may need to make an incision in the gums and remove a small amount of bone to access it. She may loosen, or luxate, the tooth and gently pull it out. If necessary, she may need to divide it into smaller pieces first.

Afterward, she places stitches and gauze to help stop the bleeding.

Once your wisdom teeth are out, you’ll notice some light swelling for a few days after. You can ease this by applying an ice pack to the area periodically. You can also take over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen or acetaminophen to help reduce swelling. Dr. Stingley will give you clear instructions on post-procedure care during your free screening.

Are Your Wisdom Teeth Bothering You? Book a Free Screening

Sometimes, wisdom tooth extraction makes sense to preserve the long-term health of the rest of the teeth. Dr. Stingley helps put you at ease and builds trust throughout the extraction process. She is committed to making the extraction process as gentle and comfortable as possible.

Dr. Stingley wants to help keep your mouth healthy by supporting you with a gentle wisdom tooth extraction. Come in for a free screening, included with your treatment.